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AN ACCOUNT 




OF THE EARLY PART 




OF THE 





%iit, aitti €onUnttmmt 



THOMAS MELHUISH, 

LATE OF TAUNTON. 

Given by himself in a Letter to a Friend: 

Together with 
A Short Account of his subsequent Life, fyc. 

With Extracts from fome of his Letters 
On Religious Subjects. 

Collected and arranged by two Friends, 
to whom he committed the Revisal of his Papers* 

LONDON : 

PRINTED AND SOLD BY 

PHILLIPS and FARDON, 

GEORGE YARD, 
LOMBARD STREET. 

1805. 



4h 







W 1 : ^ 



AN ACCOUNT, -fcfc. 



IT may not be amifs to introduce the fol- 
lowing letter with a fhort account of our 
friend*in his early life. 

He was born at Bradninch in Devonfhire, 
about the year 1737, of parents not then 
profeffing with Friends : but his, mother foon 
afterwards joined the Society, his father con- 
tinuing in profeffion with the national church* 

Having learnt the bufinefs of a taylor, he 
travelled to London for employment as a 
journeyman in that line, about the twentieth 
year of his age, and having been previoufly 
brought acquainted with the principles of 
Friends, he foon formed an intimacy with 
fome in that city, particularly the family of 
the Marfhmans, who kindly noticed and en- 
tertained him 5 which doubtlefs proved a lin- 
gular favour to him, and made a tailing 
impreflion of gratitude on his mind, opening 
the way to a correfpondence after his return 
a into 



( 2 ) 

into the country, from whence it appears he 
addrefTed a letter to James Marfhman, of 
which the jfp.llowinq- is an extract 



2d Mo. feventh, 1758. 

Respe*:ted Friend, 

THE many and repeated 
-favours received at thy hands, call for my 
thankful acknowledgements ; and I make ufe 
of this opportunity to return them, hoping I 
ihall always "retain a grateful fenfe of thy 
kindnefs manifefted to me at a time, wherein 
my poverty and diftrefs -(fpiritually fpeaking) 
were very great; and as from an obfervation 
I have made, I believe thou art mindful of 
the apoflle's advice, " Be not forgetful to 
entertain flrangers," I doubt not but thou 
haft largely experienced the bleffmgs which 
attend fuch a pious difpofition, 5 and that they 
may be continued to thee is my ardent de- 
fire. 

The humble followers of the meek and 
crucified Jefus, whofe defi.re it is to be found 
walking in the path of felf-denia!, and are 

earneftly 



( 3 ) 

carneftly concerned to attain a thorough re- 
iignation to the divine will, are oftentimes 
drawn to look back and take a forrowful 
profpecl: of their once fallen and loft eftate ; 
and under a humbling fenfe thereof are made 
to adore the worthy name and magnify that 
powerful arm, by which they were called 
and delivered from darknefs, and brought 
to a ftate of marvellous light ; and from 
blindnefs and ignorance -to be meafurably 
acquainted with the hidden myfteries of the 
cverlafting kingdom: thefe being filled with 
a fenfe of their unworthinefs, are at all times 
ready to acknowledge that it is not in the 
least by any might, ftrength, or even defire 
of their own, but through the free, univerfal 
love of God, by the revelation of that in- 
vifible power in their hearts, which made 
Felix tremble, that they are prefer ved from 
the fins and grofs enormities by which they 
were once led captive; and as by a fteady 
obedience to divine grace they are kept in a 
humble ftate, and know themfelves to be 
(what they really are) poor dependant crea- 
tures, infufficient of themfelves to do, or 
even think any good, they have nothing to 
A 2 glory 



( 4 ) 

glory in but the crofs of Chrift, which, by 
true faith in it, they have happily experienced 
to be the <c power of God unto falvation." 

The man out of whom the legion of devils 
was cad, was found fitting at the feet of 
Jefus ; and being clothed with a right mind, 
was fent to declare unto others, what great 
things God had done for him, and a teftimony 
was given him to bear to that mighty power 
which had been fo wonderfully manifefled 
for his help and comfort; which, upon an ex- 
amination of what I once was, and (through 
divine grace) what I now am, permit me to 
fay, with awful reverence to the Father of 
all my mercies, bears fome refemblance to 
my prefent (late, having fometimes a tefli- 
mony given me to bear*to the worthy name 
of Jefus, and through the influence of divine 
love, which I feel to be largely med abroad 
in my heart, am made willing ro declare unto 
others, what God (through the abundance 
of his mercy) hath done for my foul: a fhort 
account of vhofe gracious dealings with me, 
I here prefect to thy view, as likewife to that 
of thy family, with iincere denres that it may 
tend to their edification and comfort, and ftir 

up 



( 5 ) 

.up their minds fteadily to perfevere in that 
way which leads through many tribulations 
to the kingdom of gloiy. 

God, who in the might of his eternal 
power, gave the awful command, Be thou! 
in due time feparated me from my mother's 
womb; and his paternal regard and provi- 
dential care were largely manifefted in carry- 
ing me through a feries of bodily infirmities 
in my infant ftate: and I was early brought 
to a fenfe of his divine goodnefs, and fome- 
times in my very young years, was led into 
an admiration thereof. 

It may not be improper to obferve, that 
foon after my birth, my mother, who had 
long been feeking the beloved of her foul,- 
and inquiring for him amongfl the blind 
watchmen of the night, became convinced 
of the truth, and being brought off from the 
fhadowy, came to inherit the fubflantial part 
of religion: the neceffity of a holy life being 
ftrongly impreffed on her mind, an earned con- 
cern was raifed in her, that her offspring might- 
attain thereto; and fhe made ufe of every 
opportunity to inilil into my tender mind,, 
the principles of virtue and religion. This 
a. 3 I mention^ 



( 6 ) 

I mention, becaufe it was of great advantage 
to me, for her prudent counfel and exemplary 
conduct had begotten in me fuch an awe and 
cfteem for her, as many times prevented me 
from joining in thofe things which I was 
much inclined to. 

But to return to my own Hate:- — although 
when about the fixth year of my age, I felt 
fomething of the vifitation of divine goodnefs 
often tendering my heart, and begetting de- 
defires in me that I might be brought to an 
■acquaintance and communion with my Maker, 
("of which I remember to have formed fomc 
idea, by remarking Samuel's being called of 
the Lord when but a child : which paffage, 
my mother often repeated to me, and gave 
me fuch advice thereon, as my tender age 
was thought capable of receiving; ) yet fuch 
prevalency had the evil in me, that I was 
often drawn to do wickedly; and being of a 
vicioufly active and mifchievous difpofition, 
was, when among my companions, as for- 
ward (and probably more fo ) as any of them 
to flan mifchief, though with fo much cau- 
tion, as, if poilible, to prevent its coming to 
my mother's knowledge ; for on fuch occa- 

fions 



( 7 ) 

fions I was always fure to meet with correc- 
tion, and that accompanied with fuch mild, 
perfuafivereafoning, as frequently I remember 
drew tears from my eyes. 

Near this time (being about the eighth year 
my age) I was often powerfully vifited and 
the good feemed to prevail in me*. I was 
fully convinced, (as far as my capacity at 
that age could rightly diftinguifh) of the 
principles of truth, and loved to go to 
meetings, efpecially when I knew of any- 
travelling friends being there ; which not- 
withiianding my father was in profeflion with 
the national church, I had frequently an 
opportunity of doing ; and my fober and folid 
deportment, was noticed by forne ; but this 
continued but for a fliort time, for being 
about, this time placed at fchool and thereby 
more out my mother's notice than I had 
formerly been, the enemy foon prevailed, 
and I made use of the liberty I now had* 
to improve myfeif in thofe vices I had a great 
propenfity to. I wifh parents would be very 
careful how they flation their children in this 
refpecl: though far be it from me to reflect- 
on the conduct, of mine ; they (my mother 
a 4 especially. 



( 3 ) 

cfpecjally), acHng with great care therein, as 
far as their circumftances would permit ; but 
for want of being placed with a religious 
mailer, I think I fuffered lofs. 

About the twelfth year of my age, my 
father died, and fome time afterwards I was 
taken from fchool, in order to be put appren- 
tice ; and there being no perfon near of our 
profefiion very fuitable to place me with, for 
want of a better, I was bound to a parifh- 
clerk, about five miles from the place 
where my mother lived, and feven from a 
meeting; though I am certain had my friends 
known _ the irregularity and bad conduct of 
that family, they would not have put me 
there. 

Being now of a bad difpofition, and placed 
among thofe who were rather worfe than 
myfelf, I foon threw off the reftraint of reli- 
gion, (to which I had hitherto paid fome 
regard) and became openly prophane. 

Concerning this part of my life let it fuffice 
to fay, that for about three years and a half, 
my conduct and behaviour were fuch as filled 
the heart of my dear mother with unutterable 
forrow ; to fee (as fhe fometimes expreffed 

herfelf) 



( 9 ) 

lierfelf) the fon of her hopes ungratefully to 
flight the merciful vifitation of heaven, (which 
as I have hinted, was wonderfully extended 
to me in my very young years) and precipi- 
tately run the way to deftrucYion. Oh how 
fhe mourned I For me fhe went pained as a 
woman in travail, and often fcattered her 
tears in folitary places: for me her hopes 
feemed gone; and me expected nothing elfc 
but on my account to lie down with forrow in: 
the grave. I could largely dwell on this af- 
fecting fubjeel:, but would be brief, and haften 
to that happy time wherein the merciful vifita- 
tion was again extended ; and I could with 
great propriety and feeling experience, make 
ufe of the apodle's exprejGTion, " (Thrift Jefus 
came into the world- to fave finners, of whom 
I was chief." My being thus divinely reach- 
ed, fully confirmed me in the belief of the 
universality of the love of God, for had any 
been, as fome abfurdly affirm, eternally de- 
creed to damnation, I think I had been one.. 
When I had continued from about t the 
thirteenth to the feventeenth year of my age 
in a known violation of the divine commands, 
the voice of the Lord, which I had often 
a 5 heard. 



( 10 ) 

heard calling unto me in the cool of the day, 
and gently moving ort my mind, was now 
more powerfully lifted up. Where art thou? 
was founded in my ears in inch a -manner as 
evidently denoted that divine wrath and in- 
dignation were juflly kindled againft me; and 
although a ftrong and fervent cry was raifed 
in me, that I might be delivered from the 
body of fin and death, in which I faw myfelf 
plunged, I had no hope; all feemed vanifhed, 
the heavei^ were as brafs, and the earth as 
iron; nothing in either, I thought, could, or 
rather would, afford me comfort; I faw him 
whom I had pierced with my fins, and my 
foul was wounded with the fight. After I 
had continued for fome time in this mournful 
ftate, the Lord, who in judgment remembers 
mercy, looked upon me, and as I was gra- 
dually brought more and more under the 
humbling hand which was at work in me, 
by the purifying operation of the heart-clean- 
ling wordy a fecret hop© would at times arife, 
and give me a faint profpecl: of what, if I 
continued humble, I fliould one day experi- 
ence: though this was fometimes the cafe, 
yet inexpreilibly deep were the agonies, and 

bitter 



( 1-1 ) 

bitter diftrefs I at this time underwent on a 
remembrance of my pail life; and the being 
deprived of the opportunity of feeing or 
converfmg with religious perfons, (there be- 
ing fcarcely one in the place where I lived) 
did not a little, add to my affliction, for being 
continually expofed to temptations, and no 
one to encourage me in the way of well-doing, 
none to lend a helping hand, or affift, what 
I can fcarcely at that time call myfelf, a tra- 
veller Sion-wards, I frequently fell into thofe 
things again, for which I had fo deeply 
differed. 

Thus I continued in this toffed, afflicted^ 
and comfortlefs fituation for a confiderable 
time, but at length the day came wherein 
liberty was proclaimed to the captive, and- 
the gofpel found of peace and falvation de- 
clared in my foul; the heavens appeared 
with a ferene and beautiful afpecl, and it 
may be faid the very morning (tars fang for 
joy, and welcomed the returning prodigal. 
Thus I was brought to witnefs that the peace 
of God paffes the under-landing of the na- 
tural man, and I often felt the enjoyments of 
divine favour^ and now it appeared clearly 
a 6 to 



( 12 ) 

to be my duty to leave off going to the 
public w orfliip, which fince my apprenticeihip 
I had been in the practice of: as likewife to 
ufe the plain language : both which in time 
I gave up to, but not fo fully to the latter, 
as I ought to have done; (o great was the 
crofs, that I often thought I fhould much 
rather choofe to give up my life: but my 
eye being kept to him whofe omnipotent arm 
had been largely manifested for my help, he 
made way for me where no way feemed to 
be, and fupported and carried me through 
the clofe baptizing exercifes which attended 
my giving up to the heavenly vifion. 

Thus, from a loft fallen ftate in which I 
once was, through the unutterable love and 
mercy of God I am brought at times feelingly 
to know that my Redeemer lives : how (hall I 
celebrate his praife or enough proclaim his 
abundant mercy, but by freely devoting the 
future part of my life to his fervice: may 
therefore thy prayers with thofe of thy dear 
family (to whom I feel myfelf united in the 
bonds of indiffoluble love) afcend for my 
prefervation : my exercifes to this day are 
great, my befetments clofe, and temptations 

powerful - 7 



( i3 ) 

powerful ; and therefore when it fares well 
with you, remember me, as, if ever favored 
folemnly to approach the throne of grace, 
and admitted to worfhip in the holy of holies, 
I {hall you. 

May thefe lines, my dear friends, encou- 
rage you to perfevere and fleadily walk in 
the way of the crofs, that there may be raifed 
from amongfl you, teftimony bearers to the 
faving powers thereof. For my part I freely 
confefs the love of God hath fo influenced 
ny mind, that I have fometimes thought I 
fhould be willing to run to and fro in the 
earth, that I might teach tranfgreflors his 
ways, and that finners might be converted 
unto him: but it is hard to remain under the 
preparing hand; though it lies heavy upon 
me, my heart is melted, and I am quire dif- 
folved under the humbling fenfe thereof. I 
feel the drawings of immortal love extended in 
my heart towards mankind; and I am almofl 
ready to warn them, from an appreheniion 
of duty, to flee from the wrath to come : 
but I mufl longer remain under the forming 
hand of him who alone can prepare and 
qualify his fervants for the work he fends 
them to do. 

Finally 



( H ) 

Finally, my friends, farewell. I beg ex- 
cufe for fo long detaining you, and now take 
my leave, and recommend you with myfelf 
to the Rock of Ages for prefervation ; that 
if ever we meet again, we may have to re- 
joice in the Lord, and our joy may be full 
in the God of our falvation: to whom afcend 
from the heart he hath quickened, thankf- 
giving, glory, honour, and renown : for he 
is everlaftingly worthy, faith my foul. 

Thomas Melhuish- 



The following letter (without date) 7 ap- 
pears to have been written to fome friend in 
London, fo on after his return from that city.. 

Dear Friend,. 

IT is a very awful thing to have a tefti- 
mony to bear for God ; but awful as it is, he 
hath raifed up, and (blelTed be his name) is 
(till raifing up and qualifying fome for that 
fervice; and who (hall fay unto him, " What 
doeft thou?" if in his infinite wifdom he fee 

meet 



C >5 ) 

meet to employ the meanefl veffels in his 
houfe therein. Excufe me, my dear friend, 
if from the fincere refpeel: I bear, and the 
unity of fpirit I have with thee, 1 lay before 
thee the deep concern of my mind, the 
ardent prayer and breathing of my foul, that 
I may not mifs my way in fo important an 
affair as bearing a teftimony for God : I 
have been led to fee, yea, and to partake of 
the deep and baptizing exercifes which thefe 
at times pafs through. O my foul, mayfl 
thou never faint under the preparing hand, 
but be encouraged to prefs forward, remem- 
bering that the chaflifements of the Lord 
are tokens of his love, who makes his. people 
perfect through fuffering. 

I cannot upon the whole think that the 
deep concern which thou faweft me under, 
proceeded from difobedience; I confefs I 
many times had fome fentences brought to 
my remembrance, and impreffed with fome 
weight on my mind whilft with you ; but I 
did not fee my duty in that refpefr fo indif- 
putably clear as I wanted, and I was not in 
the lead willing to a& at an uncertainty in fo 
momentous an affair j and the awful fenfe of 

my 



( 1 6 ) 

my being called to fo weighty a fervice as to- 
fpeak a few words in meetings, took fuch 
hold of my mind after I came from the Savoy, 
as to bring that deep concern upon me; and 
with many tears was I moved to fupplicate the 
majefty of heaven for prefervation, direction,, 
and affiftance therein ; and methought in an- 
fwer to my prayers, I felt fome degree of the 
anointing oil poured forth; and fmce I came 
home, way hath been made for me, and with 
much trembling, reverence, and fear, I one 
day flood up in our week-day meeting, which 
is but fmall, and uttered a few words as they 
were brought to my remembrance; with 
which fome folid friends have given me caufe, 
by the kindnefs of their behaviour, to think 
they have unity; but oh, I find my exercifes 
increafe, under which nothing can fupport me 
but that omnipotent arm which hath hitherto- 
preferved. I find a neceffity for a continual 
warfare that my life and converfation may 
eorrefpond with that teflimony given me to 
bear, and above all things, that in the exer- 
cife of my gift I may be careful never to 
move till rightly called: I have forrowfully 
obferved that many who take upon them to 

exercife 



( *7 ) 

cxercife the minifterial fun&ion, if they have 
been rightly called thereto, yet for want of 
due attendance on the great minifter of 
minifters, have gone from that life, which 
alone makes preaching of the gofpel profit- 
able. 



Some time after his return to the country, 
he removed to Taunton, and married Jane 
Mullet, then a widow of that town. Here he 
carried on the bufinefs of a Shopkeeper, in 
which however he met with fome difficulties ; 
yet under a variety of trying circumftances 
it appears he kept in view the one thing 
needful, the cultivation and improvement of 
his own vineyard ; and fas he found his 
mind concerned) the labouring for the im- 
provement of others. 

About the year 1768, we find him vifit- 
ing one of the weflern counties: and after 
his return he wrote an epiftle to Friends of 
the fame county, expreffive of his deep con- 
cern on their account: from which the fol- 
lowing is an extract 



( i8 ) 



Dear Friends, 

Since I paid you a vifit, various have been 
the thoughts and cogitations of my heart 
concerning the (late of things among you in 
a religious fenfe -, but amidft the doubts which 
have attended me, I have not been with- 
out a degree of certainty in this comfortable 
feeling truth, that let things, be as they may, 
the extendings of divine help are mercifully 
continued in order to the further cleanfmg, 
edifying, flrengthening, and preferving, ac- 
cording to their feveral growths, all thofe 
among whom a degree of fmcerity remains; 
w r hich divine care feems to be manifeiled, 
not only in that you are favoured with fome 
remains of a living minitlry, but more efpe- 
cially in that, though many things have oc- 
curred to prevent the free circulation of the 
fpring of life among the body in general, in 
that increafmg flowing manner which could 
be defired, yet you are humblingly favoured 
with a good degree thereof, and but few are 
funk to fuch a pitch of lethargic fcupidity as 
not in fome degree to be fenfible of its in- 
fluence -, 



( n 5 

Alien cc ; and fome feem to be fo quickened 
and enlivened thereby, that to feel and enjoy 
it in this communicating enlarging manner, is 
become the joy and rejoicing of their fouls.. 
This general view and fenfe of things, 
having been prefent with -me, has afforded 
comfort to my travailing foul, in folid hope, 
that as you were not forfaken of the ever- 
lafting helper, but divine mercy difpofed 
to bear with you yet another year, and con- 
tinue his cultivating care, fome individuals 
(I wifb they may be many) will fo carefully 
attend to the defigo of the great Lord of 
the vineyard as to bring forth fruit in pro- 
portion to that care which has been richly 
and freely manifeilcd towards them ; yielding 
fubjeclion to the forming hand in all things; 
that flript of all falfe reafonings, carnal com- 
prehenfions, and all human felfifh mixings 
whatever, in the underftanding and ability 
the truth alone gives, they may attend to the 
proper bufmefs of the day; watering, planting, 
or whatever elfe may fall to their lot ; having 
an eye and dependance on God for an 
kicreafe both refpe&ing their labours and 
the particular (late and advancement of their 
own minds. 

And 



( so ) 

And bear with me, dear Friends, if under 
the prevalence of divine love I warn the 
negligent, carelefs, and lukewarm, (for fueh 
there are among you) on whofe account I am 
dipt into deep {offering, and ready to cry 
out in the myfterious language of the apoftle, 
(including my brethren fellow-fufferers on 
the fame account therein,) " If the dead rife 
not, why then are we baptized for the 
dead?" If the determined difpofition of their 
hearts long rivetted to the earth, is to 
hide their talent therein, and the fixed bent 
of their minds to grovel in corruption and 
.vanity, and feek no other crown than what 
the world can give them, why fuifer we on 
their account? If they have bartered heaven 
for earth, and fold their birth-right for a 
mefs of pottage ; if the wild uncultivated 
nature of Efau fo prevails in them as to 
induce them to offer violence to the fecond 
birth, the true feed of Jacob,, in which their 
election Hands, why forrow we at the blemng 
being taken from them ? especially as all our 
forrow and fuffering refpe&ing them feems 
to be in vain ? Yet read me, dear friends, in 
my painful feelings on this occafion, while 

my 



c « ) 

my foul laments that there fliould be any 
among you who have thus received the grace 
of God in vain: I pray God, with my whole 
heart, their number may never be increafed, 
but that the fmall remains of life in other 
weak dwarfifh minds, may be fo effectually 
ftrengthened, that by uling all diligence they 
may be excited to fuch an holy circumfpection, 
as that their works may be found perfect 
before God. 

And, dear youth, though the affe&ionate 
Sowings of good- will in my heart, ftrongly 
reach toward you, yet being fully convinced 
divine mercy careth for you, and is imme- 
diately influencing your minds to feek true 
reft; to that gracious fuccouring care, that 
nourifhing ftrengthening fupport, which the 
bifiiop of fouls is ever ready to communicate, 
to him that can do all in you and for you; 
to the good fliepherd that puts his own forth, 
and goes before them, feeding them in the 
green paftures, and leading them befide the 
ftill waters ; to. him whofe veftment is dyed 
in blood, whofe name is the Word of God, 
do I commend you, and remain, 

Your friend and brother, 

Thomas Mejlhuish. 



( » ) 

The following Letter, addrefTed to two 
women friends, travelling in the fervice of 
truth about this time, with whom he appears 
to have 'felt near fympathy, may not be 
thought unworthy of a place here. 



Taunton, 11th Mo. 28th, 1760, 

Dear Friends, 

AS contrary to my intention and the ex- 
pectation given, I was prevented from accom- 
panying you to Bridport, coniidering the 
abrupt manner in which I took leave of you, 
a kind of debt feemed due, and an acknow- 
ledgment of the affectionate nearnefs and ref- 
pettl bear you : and although fpirits redeemed 
from the earth, who know the Lord Almighty 
to be their father, and that by the fpirit 
of his fon they are quickened to walk in 
newnefs of life, are under divine protection 
as their conftant refuge, yet I have thought, 
while in our prefent mode of being, we 
fometimes receive confolation in an encou- 
raging 



C 23 ) 

raging hint from a kindred fpirit, though in 
an inferior relation: and indeed, this feems 
to have been the general way of the Al- 
mighty's dealings with his people, fince from 
the beginning, it is not many mighty, not 
many wife, &c. that have been called, but 
God hath chofen the foolifh things of the 
world, to confound the wife, that no flefh 
might glory in his fight; but both high and 
low, rich and poor, flrong and weak, might 
remain in that acceptable felf-abafement and 
humility, which will not fail hi" due time to 
exalt them to honour, through their being 
made partakers of the ciown immortal ; and 
notwithstanding by the teftimony of Jems, 
and fpirit of prophecy which many have 
received, they arTuredly know falvation to be 
come to their houfes, yet in every rightly 
difpofed mind, this comfortable fenfe will 
tend to promote circurnfpect walking under 
the power of the daily crofs ; that by the 
virtue thereof becoming more and more 
.crucified to the world, and their affections 
gradually weaned and loofened therefrom, 
they may have a certain, diftinft knowledge 
that their falvation is nearer than when they 

firft 



( *4 ) 

firfl believed, through the abundant increafc 
of love towards the brethren ; and this love 
working into a conftraint upon our minds, 
would, f were it poffible) compel Ifrael to be 
gathered ; and confident with the Sowings of 
divine good- will leads again and again to offer 
reconciliation through the blood of Jefus; yet 
to the grief of our hearts, this teflimony is not 
received by many among us, but the workings 
of a contrary fpirit have fo prevailed, that to 
deal plainly and honeftly we are neceffitated to 
adopt the general language of the fpirit to 
the feven churches, that though there may 
be a few who have not defiled their garments, 
and thefe may be permitted to walk with the 
Iamb in white, for they are worthy; and to 
whofe prevailing intercession it may be owing 
that the candleftick is not yet removed out 
of its place; neverthelefs, " there are many 
things againft thee;" through the fpreading 
of the fpirit of error and deception, it has 
unhappily fo happened: you know it as well 
as I; and I doubt not are daily fufferers in 
fpirit thereby; fo that however it has fared 
with you hitherto, yet it is much to me if 
in the courfe of your journey, the language 

of 



( ** ) 

of your hearts be not fometimes, " Darknefs 
covers the earth, and grofs darknefs the 
people:"- and fo thick is the cloud there- 
of, that the teftimony the Lord has given 
us to bear, does not pierce it 5 neither is 
it fcattered : the dead are not raifed, and 
our preaching is in vain. But, dear friends, 
be fervent and patient in fpirit, and deep 
in travail for heavenly help, to enable you 
to roll the ftone from off the mouth of the 
well ; that living water, pure and unmixed, 
may be drawn therefrom, and the little 
tender remnant being refrefhed thereby, they 
with you, and you with them, may afcribe 
all honour and praife, thankfgiving and glory, 
to the bleffed Father and Shepherd of the 
flock and family. 

I long to conclude, which I fhall now do 
with defiring to hear from you: and with 
the falutation of dear love, in which my wife 
joins, remain your affectionate^ friend and 
brother, 

Thomas Melhuish. 



i *6 ) 

Although it appears he wanted not for 
opportunity to engage more extenfively in 
worldly concerns, with a profpect of advan- 
tage, yet his religions care not to exceed 
the bounds of true moderation in this re- 
flect, is evinced by the following letter. 



To 



Having thoughtfully confidered thy pro- 
pofal, feveral reafons concur in my appre- 
iienfion to render fuch an union not advife- 
able : but notwithstanding a partnerfhip in 
the retail trade mud be attended with con- 
siderably more difficulty than is likely to occur 
where an opportunity offers for engaging 
in a wholefale bufmefs, and my defire of 
your continuing in town, would induce me 
readily to concur in any well founded fcheme 
to that purpofe, did I look upon myfelf at 
liberty to enter fo far into the active purfuits 
and bufy fcenes of life as fome others may 
commendably do, without infringing on the 
rule of duty pointed out by the wife director, 
who is not wanting to imprefs the mind with 

a language 



< *7 y 

a language of this kind, " This is the way, 
walk in it:" but, as from a careful observa- 
tion, I find much of the comfort and happi- 
nefs of my life, as well as the profpect of a 
future reft in glory, depends on my not 
neglecting the gift that is in me, the mod 
fatisfa&ory reafon I can give for my declining 
to accept of thy offer is, that a growing 
concern has for fome time fixed on my mind 
txrvifit the nation of Ireland; and though 
the prefent fituation of things with me ren- 
ders my taking fuch a journey aim oil im- 
pofiible, yet I am in hopes that the fame 
good hand who has been my fupport in 
many a trying feafon, will, in his own time 5 
work a way for my difcharge of that fervice, 
which begins to lay as a debt on me, Under 
fuch circjamftances, I mould be culpable to 
fubmit to any farther entanglements, (how- 
ever advantageous the profpeft may be) 
which had any tendency to hinder my being 
in the way of co-operating with the grace of 
God, towards fetting me more at liberty. 

% M. 



8-2 



( «* ) 

As the time drew near for accomplishing 
his intended vifit to Ireland, his mind feems 
to have been more and more deepened and 
humbled under the exercife which attended 
him on that account: the following ejacula- 
tion or prayer, found among his papers, ap- 
pears to have been penned on this occafion. 

O Lord God Almighty ! the blelTed Father 
and provider for thy children., and who hath 
abundantly promifed to preferve and uphold 
thofe that rely upon thee; my foul bends 
in deep reverence before thy throne, and 
looks towards thee with the voice of fuppli- 
cation and prayer, humbly begging, that, 
for thy dear Son's fake, thou wouldefl be 
gracioufly pleafed to remember every tolTed, 
tried, and exercifed foul, and enable them to 
bear the turning of thy hand in judgement. 
And, O Lord! as thy controverfy is againfl 
ail unrighteoufnefs, let thy holy fan winnow 
clean, entirely drive away and feparate the 
chaff, that nothing may remain that is of a 
nature contrary to thy pure holy will. And, 
O Lord! thou who heardeft the didrefTed 
cry of Ifhmael in the wildernefs, and who 
beheldeft him when ready to faint, and 

caufedfl: 



( 2 9 ) 

caufedfl thy holy angel to adminifter to his 
neceiTitics, be near in every tryirig hour, 
fupport under every exercife, comfort under 
every trouble, and fan&ify affliction, both 
of body and mind, to thofe who have begun 
to walk in the way of regeneration ; and 
keep them from falling either on the right 
hand or on the left $ that, O bleffed Lord! 
thefe poor fouls may live as monuments of 
thy mercy and gracious care; may have to 
acknowledge to thy praife, that thou haft 
made way for them when there was none, 
haft fet their fpirits at liberty, haft difengaged 
them from the mire and clay, the (licking 
frith of the world, and haft been pleafed to 
put a new fong in their mouths, and to* 
eftablifh their goings in righteoufnefs. 

And I pray "thee, O Father! if fo unworthy 
a creature may pre fume to approach thee 
wider that appellation, as thy regard is ex- 
tended to all thy workmanfhip, be graciouily 
pleafed to afford a little fuccour to my totter- 
ing foul ; deliver me from temptation, and 
preferve me from the paw of the bear. And 
Lord! as thefecrets of all hearts are open 
to thy view, and the folitary track in which 
b 3 I ara 



'( 3» ) 

I am led along is known to thee, open the 
way for my enlargement, and help my bur- 
dened heart, filled with the burden of thy 
word, and drawn to a aidant land to dis- 
charge the growing debt to fas glory of thy 
great name, the edification of thy church, 
and the confo.iation of my own poor foul : 
thou knoweft all my tremblings ; nor are 
my fecret meanings hid from thy all penetra- 
ting eye; look with pity upon me. 

And thou who called!! Samuel of old, and 
vcuchfafedli to reveal thy fecrets to him, fo 
make my way plain before me, remove 
every ftumbling block, and keep me from 
doubting in thy holy fervice. And now, 
Lord, with a humbled heart, I afcribe unto 
thee glory, and greatnefs, thankfgivings and 
praife, to the Lord God and the Lamb, 
who through the eternal fpirit, art worthy 
•for ever and ever. Amen. 



In the year 1774, he accomplifhcd his 
vifit to Ireland ; having part of the time the 
acceptable company of James Gough, then 

a refident 



( S? ) 

a refident of Briflol, who arriving in Dublin 
after him, they both attended the fpring 
national meeting there, and afterwards tra- 
velled together through moil of that nation. 
Of this vifit we are not able to give fa 
complete an account as' we could wi(h; but 
hope the following extracts of letters from 
T. M. to his wife, will be acceptable to our 
readers. 



Dublin, 11th of 4th- Mo. 1774. 

I wrote to thee from Liverpool kft fourth; 
day evening, by which thou wilt be informed 
of my journey to that place, and the extra- 
ordinary care and kindnefs of Friends there,, 
in furnifhing the more than neceilary accom- 
modations for the paffage. We failed from 
Liverpool fifth day morning about 9 o'clock, 
and had a long paflage, (jhe wind being con- 
trary) and through the favour of Providence, 
got fafe here feventh day evening, abour, the 
9th hour, and met with a very kind reception 
at the houfe of my friend William Taylor, in 
Dame Street. Yefterday, after the morning 
b 4 meeting,- 



( 3* ) 

meeting, I received thine with great fafis- 
fa&ion and thankfulnefs, in that thou waft 
brought into a degree of refignation and 
quiet fubmiifion at my thus leaving thee ; I 
hope the favour and kind notice of the ever 
bleffed Father of the family will be over thee 
for good, and that thy health will be con- 
tinued in the additional fatigue which falls to 
thy lot. 

I expect to leave this city on fourth day, in 
order to take fome meetings in the country, 
and go on my way to the Province meeting, 
for M under, to be held at Clonmel next 
firft and fecond day week, and from thence 
to come directly back to Dublin to the 
national meeting, to begin on the fourth 
day following; where I expect -to meet my 
companion, and to join him in fuch fervice 
as may be pointed out to us. I am willing 
to be as particular as I w r ell can, that thou 
mayft be informed of my journeying along ; 
which I have thankfully to acknowledge, 
has in degree been under a fenfe o^ beft help 
being with me, to my folid comfort, attended 
with an evidence of my being in my right 
place : and I am induced to hope, that he 

who 



( 33 ) 

who has engaged me in the fervice, will be 
near to fupport me through every trial, and 
bring me to my native land in fafety. 



Dublin, 5th Mo. 5th, 1774 

I returned to this place lad fixth day, hr 
company with many friends from the country, 
to the national half years meeting, which- 
began on feventh day, and ended laft even- 
ing. The meeting was very large, and a 
favoured opportunity. Rachel Wilfon found 
her mind drawn to attend it; and fhe landed 
lafl fixth day morning, and took up her quar- 
ters at my lodgings : her company was very 
inflru£tive, and (lie had excellent, fervice in 
the meeting. James Gough landed laft fe* 
cond day evening, well. Rachel Wilfonj. 
Efther Tuke, Hannah Wigham, Thomas 
Colley, and poor I from England; Thomas 
Green, Samuel Neale, with many other 
friends of this nation, were at the meet- 
ing, in which I thought it my place to be 
filent, except a little matter which opened' 
b 5 ia 



( 34 ) 

in the felecl meeting. Rachel returns the 
firft opportunity; and the reft of us are dif- 
pofed of in different routes. My companion 
and felf intend fetting off to-morrow on our 
journey ; which I hope we may get quite 
through in ten weeks at furtheft: I mention 
this, that thou mayft not be difappointed in 
frequent expectations to no purpofe; and 
hope to travel diligently, and get through as 
fast as I can: for although my mind is mer- 
cifully preferred in a fettled calm as to every 
thing in this world, yet I am often induced to 
look towards my wife and habitation with a 
nearnefs and affectionate longing beyond ex- 
preffion ; begging for thy prefervation every- 
way, and fupport under every exercife. 



Tullamore, 5th Mo. 16th. 

Whenever favoured to return, hope it 
will be to mutual fatisfa&ion, as I feel re- 
newed affiftance from day to day in my 
ftepping along ; opening into fervice, and 
preferving my mind in humble quiet, and 
refignation to divine difpofal. 



e 33 ) 

Cork, 5th Mo. 30th. 

I reached this city with my companion 7 th 
(fay afternoon, having rode lafl week 182 
miles, and been at fix meetings; and yeflerday 
morning, much to my fatisfaclion, received 
thine; and may now inform thee, that through; 
the continuance of djvine favour, I have in 
general been helped along with a degree of 
peace and true comfort. After the week 
day meeting to-morrow, we intend to fepa- 
rate for about three weeks; my companion 
inclining to ftay here longer, and I propofmg 
to go by Youghal, Clonmekand Shurebank, 
to Waterford, by £rft day; where I intend 
to reft fome days, and from thence through 
the counties of Wexford and Wicklow; 
after which we think to join, and go through 
the province of Ulfler together, which will 
finifh the journey. I have had, through di- 
vine favour, on the whole, a good fhare o£ 
health: but have fome what of a cold*, which* 
expect- a few days will carry off. 



*§. 



( 3<5 ) 

The cold he here fpeaks of appears to have 
increafed, and to have brought on a com- 
plaint,, which confined him for about two 
weeks ; .after which he fet forward, his 
companion accompanying him for fome time, 
and purfuing the track fpoken of in the 
above letter to his wife, appears to have 
completed his journey, and to have returned 
home in fafety without his companion, after 
an abfence of about 18 weeks. 

The near afFeclion and fympathy which 
fubfifted between thofe two friends, and 
fellow travellers in the work of the gofpel, 
appears not to have terminated with their 
vifit to Ireland, but to have continued un- 
fhaken through the remaining viciffitudes of 
life. 

"We apprehend James Gough not long 
after performing this vifit, removed from 
Briflol and fettled with his family in Ireland, 
and that the following lines from Thomas 
Melhuiih were addreffed to him foon after- 
wards. 



( 37 ) 

Taunton, lft Mo. 1ft, 1775. 

Dear Friend, 

I began to be uneafy at not hearing from 
thee; when I received thy very acceptable 
letter of 9th ult. The account of thine and 
family's welfare, of thy peregrination, and 
the kind notice of our dear friends, was 
truly pleafmg j which I have no doubt will be 
continued; as there is a mutual keeping on the 
bottom of fincerity and humility, and as thofe 
difpofitions prevail, and a true friehdfhip is 
eftablifhed on this foundation, it will be 
more ftrongly Kvetted by the ownings of 
divine regard, and the fheddings abroad of 
the love of God - 9 in which we rejoice 
together as brethren of the fame family, who 
have but one common interefl in view ; and 
this naturally leads us to fhare one with 
another in the feafons wherein fufferings 
may be neceflary for a farther refinement, 
and more meet preparation for that kingdom 
the joys whereof are divinely fuited to the 
nature of pure and perfect fpirits, made fo 
through fuffering: and in our travail in the 

way 



( 38 ) 

way towards this kingdom, I have feen, I 
was about to fay, in the light of the Lord,, 
there mufl be no claiming of pre-eminence, 
no contefls about priority or feniority ; but 
even thofe who through divine favour have 
fo far advanced as to know what it is to be 
in the fpirit on the Lord's day, mufl in the 
fame meeknefs and humility, adopt the lan- 
guage of the favoured apoftle, " I John, 
who alfo am your brother and companion in 
tribulation and in the kingdom and patience 
of JefusChrift." 

Thefe remarks, as at many other time?, 
very unexpectedly flip from me; but I con- 
sider the gofpel as an inexhauflible fund of 
durable riches, and though we can preach no 
new dofhrine, yet there is a beautiful difplay 
of divine mercy, in the variety of gifts it 
communicates to thofe who in fimplicity 
embrace it: and whilfl we thankfully admire 
the Lord's goodnefs in making us partakers 
of the fellcwlhip of the myftery, let the 
ardent breathing of our fpirits be for prefer- 
vation on this innocent, child-like^ foundation. 

It is not worth my while to take much 
notice of the little uneaiinefs which occurred 

at 



( 39 ) 

at Briftol before thy leaving it ; but I am 
very glad it is removed, and be affured, my 
dear friend, my heart is often with thee; 
and though we may not meet again in muta- 
bility, the Lord grant we may meet where 
we may part no more. 

I have moved but little from home fincc 
my return from Ireland; but from a gentle 
draught in my own mind, have been at Cla- 
verham, and Exeter meetings, which were 
feafons worthy of deep commemoration ; but 
I am much fhut up about home; and I believe 
thou knoweft that in our poor little meeting 
the life of truth is too little fought after, 
and we fare accordingly; but I labour after 
contentment in my allotment, with defires to 
be kept free from entanglement, that fhould 
there be, in the motion of life, a command 
given, " Go fee how thy brethren fare," I 
may be at liberty fo to do. But of any thing 
of this kind, I have yet no expectation, nor 
fcarcely any view. 



( 40 ) 

The following, though without date, ap- 
pears to have been written fome time after 
the foregoing, to the fame friend. 



Dear Friend, 

I may now acknowledge the receipt of 
thy two letters; the firft by a friend from 
Dublin, and brought to me by T. P. on his 
return from London, the other in ufual 
courfe, by poft, both which were very ac- 
ceptable: and I truft, to hear from thee, 
will always afford fatisfaction to my mind. 

I am truly glad that our valuable friends, 
> and have been fo emi- 

nently owned in their vifit to your nation, 
and hope the fame confoling protecting care 
will attend them to the conclufion of their 
labour with you; and indeed to the end of 

their race. I do not wonder at Y 

filence with you, as I apprehend her principal 
bniinefs in leaving home, was from a concern 
to vifit the nothcrn counties; in which being 

joined by , fhe found a freedom from 

the fame draught of love and nearnefs, to 

accompany 



( 4" ) 

accompany her to Ireland. And fuppofe> 
whilft under the feeling of unutterable mercy 
yet extended to a people forgetful of their 
duty, fome may be conflrained to lift up 
the voice like a trumpet, in order to fhew 
them the ftate of alienation they (land in, and 
livingly to point out the caufe thereof: if 
others equally loaded with the burden of 
their perverfe ipirits, under a clear di fcerning 
of the long fuffering of God, mould find 
it their duty to move up and down among 
them as figns and wonders; being dumb, 
and no otherwife reprovers, than by the 
deep, inward, mournful exercife of their 
fpirits; does this point out any inconfiftency 
in the orderings of infinite wifdom? Nay fure- 
]y, let thee and me, my dear friends, ftedfaftly 
move in our proper allotments, having no 
will or defire, but to be found doing the 
will of God, as it may be clearly pointed 
out, and the way clearly opened. 

I feel a little with thee in thy prefent 
fettered ftate, being myfelf under ties of that 
kind; which whilft I at times feel the incon- 
venience of, I lament the too general indo- 
lence, amongft fo many, who have every 

wilted 



( 42 ) 

V/Ifhed for opportunity to do good ; bnt 
their own wills not being mortified, that 
difpofition is alive, in which the will of God 
can never be acceptably performed. 



In the years 1776 and 1777* he was en- 
gaged with divers other friends* appointed by 
the Quarterly Meeting, in paying a rcligiaus 
vifit to the families of Friends belonging 
thereto. Of this vifit our friend kept mi- 
nutes: by which it appears he had his fhare 
of the weight and fervfce thereof. One 
circumftance it may not be amifs to mention, 
that whilfl in the neighbourhood of Briflol, 
Thomas Melhuifh went with fbme other 
friends, his companions, to fee William Fry,, 
of that city, who was then thought to be 
near his end ; and concerning whom, he gives 
the following account. 



In tranfcribing the foregoing notes of this 
vifit, I think it may not be improper to re- 
mark in this place, that our dear friend W. F. 

departed 



C 43 ) 

departed this life in about ten weeks after : 
whofe removal as a valuable member of 
religious and civil fociety, muft be fincerely 
regretted by all who knew his worth. As a 
Chriftian, he was deep in experience in the 
hidden, inward life: and although he was 
rich in this world, through faith he over- 
came the world, and was far removed from 
the fpirit and nature of it. And as a minifter 
of the gofpel of peace, his conduct to all 
that know their foundation and keep on it, 
muft appear truly amiable and inftrucb've; 
exceedingly deep in travail, his fpirit longed 
to feel the bubblings of the living fpring, 
and in true filence to enjoy it and be made 
partaker thereof: and as he knew that 
nothing but what comes from God, can 
gather to God, he was remarkably cautious 
in his appearances; being filled with a reli- 
gious care that no likenefs might be formed, 
he waited to feel the burden of the word; 
and when he flood up, the fpirit of wifdom. 
was with him, and the power of his God 
was upon him : fo that it was abundantly 
evident, he was a minifter, not of man, but 
of God. How I loved him! — and in this 

reccJletTioa 



C 44 ) 

recolle&itm of him as a Chriflian, a minifterv 
and a friend, my mind is much afFecled, but 
yet comforted in a renewed feeling, that as 
his life, when in this world, was hid with 
Chrift in God, he now triumpheth over fin, 
death, hell, and jhe grave, and is entered 
into his man Hon. 



In the year 1778, we find him travelling 
towards Northamptonfhire and Leiceflerfhire, 
and that in the year 1781, he vifited the 
meetings of friends in Lincolnfhire and York- 
(hire. The following extracts of letters, 
which he wrote to his wife while on this 
journey, will convey fome account thereof.- 



Wycombe, (in Buckingham/hire) 
3d Mo. 24th, 1781. 

I wrote to thee lafl fecond day evening, 
from Marlborough, which we left third day 
afternoon; and have had meetings at New- 
bury, Reading, Henley, and this place, 
which we leave this afternoon, in order to be 

at 



C 45 ) 

at Aylefbury to-morrow, and at Leighton in 
Bedfordshire in the evening, and from thence 
to Ampthill into Lincolnfhire, as direclly as 
we well can. We are favoured with health, 
and attended with bell help, opening the 
way to edifying labour in many places, mu- 
tually comfortable to friends and us. 



Spalding, (Lincolnfhire,) 4th Mo. 2d. 1781 

Since I wrote lad we have been at meet- 
ings at Aylefbury, Leighton, Ampthill, Hunt- 
ingdon, Ives, Earith, and Ramfey, and came 
here feventh day evening; were at two meet- 
ings here yeiterday, and have been this day 
to Gedney, (about 12 miles) to a meeting, 
and back here again, in order to go forward 
with other friends to the quarterly meeting. 
Here are in this county about 14 particular 
meetings, fome of them a good diftance from 
each other, fo that it will be two weeks hard 
work to get through it; in about which time, 
I hope to enter Yorkfhire. We have been 
favoured with health, and my mare carries 
me bravely along; being helped from place 

to 



C 46 3 

to place to caft a little bread on the waters. 
under the reaching influence of divine love; 
which hope may be mercifully continued, and 
that we may be favoured to meet again ig 
the enjoyment of beft peace* 



mm 



Hull, (Yorkfliire,) 4th Mo. 19th. 

Laft evening we fet our feet in Yorkfliire, 
having crofled the large river Humber, from 
Lincolnfhire, about five miles over to this 
town; and had a pretty good paflage. At 
this place we have had a meeting this morn- 
ing; a confiderable number of friends belong 
to it, and fuitable doctrine opened with a 
degree of baptizing fweetnefs and authority, 
tending much to open our way for further 
fervice in this county. As we did not get 
into this county at Thorn, as at firfr. intended, 
I had an opportunity to fend by a friend to 
N". D. to requefl him to forward the letter 
directed to him to this place ; which came to 
hand this morning, and rejoiced I was to 
hear from thee, and to find thy health mer 
cifully continued, as we Jiave thankfully to 

acknowledge 



( 47 ) 

acknowledge ours has been ; and that beft 
help has greatly favoured us, owning the fer- 
vice in which we have been and are engaged ; 
and enabling us to preach the gofpel in de- 
rnonftration of the fpirit, and with power, to 
our great humiliation and abafement, and the 
praife of him who upholds and preferves, 
and who alone is worthy both now and for 
ever. Amen. 



Scarborough, 4th Mo. 27th. 

I often feel for thee with much affectionate 
nearnefs, in hopes that as I am thus feparated 
from thee, (not of choice, but apprehenfion 
of duty) divine protection will guard thee, 
and make thy flepping along eafy, as with 
deep thankfulnefs I have to acknowledge it 
has been gracioufly extended to me in this 
journey, affording fuccour and fupport in 
the needful time. W e have been helped on 
in this county much to our own and friends 
fatisfa&bn : after fpending about three weeks 
more in it, I hope to get a difcharge, and 
to fet my face homewards. 



( 48 ) 

York, 5th Mo. 4th. 

After a reafonable repaft, fucceeding a la- 
borious exerciling meeting at this place, this 
forenoon, being recruited in my ftxength and 
quiet in my mind, I fit down to inform thee 
that we came here on fourth day evening, 
having had that day two meetings, at Mal- 
ton and Thorntoa, both fpending and ex- 
ercifing as to bodily ftrength, but favored 
with bed faccour and fupport. We left 
York yeflerday morning, in company with 
feveral friends, to attend the monthly meet- 
ing for this diflrift, about 15 miles off, 
which was a profitable feafon ; and returned 
w T ith them in the evening, in order for the 
meeting this day. We propofe leaving this 
to-morrow morning, a meeting being appoint- 
ed at a place about ten miles off; after w r hich 
we propofe going on about 15 miles, to 
North Cave, in order to be there on firft 
day. 

I wrote this day week from Scarborough: 
fin.ce, I begin to feel a comfortable releafe 
from my burthen, and hope in fomething 
more than a week to get out of this county 
and to haften homewards. 



( 49 ) 

After performing this vifit he appears to 
have been for feveral years at and about 
home, being diligent in the attendance of 
religious meetings both for worfhip and dif- 
cipline; and in the year 1784 was again en* 
gaged with divers other friends in vifiting 
families in the county, which, as well as the 
former vifit of the like kind, appi ars to have 
been attended with fatisfacYion and profit. 

We apprehend he travelled about this 
time in company with our ancient valuable 
friend John Thomas, of Winghill, on a vifit 
to friends in Devon and Cornwall, but of 
this not having any certain account, fhall pro- 
ceed to fay that the next vifit we find him 
engaged in was in the year 1 795, when he 
vifited the meetings pretty generally in mod 
of the midland and northern counties: this 
took him up nearly three months, and being 
winter time, he appears to have been a good 
deal expofed to the weather in the northern 
parts, and to have fuffered in his health j 
but was enabled to difcharge the fervice re- 
quired of him to his own folid peace, and we 
doubt not to the comfort and edification of 
friends, as will more fully appear by the fol- 
c lowing 



( 5° ) 

lowing extracts of letters to his wife, while 
on this journey. 



Melkfliam, 10th Mo. 23d, 1795. 

I got here laft evening, agreeable to my 
expectation; I have been at meeting to-day, 
and felt a fecret evidence accompanying my 
mind, that by waiting in faith and patience 
in a fteady humble feeking after divine help, 
all will be w r ell, and that I am going in the 
way of my duty. Thus, amidft the various 
toflings I have lately palfed through, am now 
favoured with a calm peaceful mind. 



Ackworth, 5th Mo. 11th. 

We got here lafl evening, about five 
o'clock, thirteen miles from Doncafter, where 
we had an appointed meeting in the morning, 
favoured in a good degree by the great Maf- 
ter of our aflemblies ; indeed, it is with hum- 

ble 



( 5* ) 

ble gratitude I thankfully acknowledge the 
continued renewal of his gracious regard 
from meeting to meeting; opening as it were 
into the (tore-room of his inexhauftible trea- 
fury, and furnifhing therefrom every needful 
fupply. 

J. H. recovered fo fpeedily as to be able 
to attend the meeting at Nottingham on firft 
day, which was large, and after a time of 
deep inward exercife, I was enabled to (land 
up, and began to the following purport: 

Suppofmg this to be the beginning of a 
time of general calamity; fuppofing the over- 
flowing fcourge, which had fpread defolation 
upon defolation in many other places, fliould 
be permitted to reach the inhabitants of this 
highly favoured land, in a manner different 
from what it had hitherto done; and fuppofing 
the Almighty, in his unfpeakable compaflion, 
fhould commiffion his angel or meffenger to go 
forth as with a writers ink-horn, to fet a mark 
of deliverance on thofe who loved him in, 
fmcerity, and really feared his name, my very 
foul within me was grieved to confider how 
fmall a number of thofe under our name, in 
many places, were likely to become the 

favoured 
c z 



( 52 ) 

favoured objects of his divine prote&icn and 
companionate regard. 

In further opening this affecting fubjecl, 
folemnity covered the meeting, and though I 
was filled with confolation, yet my mind was 
fo affected, that my fpirit almoit funk within 
me, and I retired to my lodgings and wept. 

I propofe to go to York on feventh day, 
and from thence to proceed through the 
county of Durham into Northumberland, 
and fo to return through Cumberland. 



His next letters give an account of his 
getting to York, and from thence through 
Durham, &c. into Cumberland, with but 
little remarkable, except that of getting 
along to good fatisfaclion. In a letter from 
Cockermouth, dated 12th of 12th Mo. .he 
writes thus : 

My movements through this county have 
been as quick as feemed prudent, and with a 
deep fenfe of humble gratitude have thank- 
fully 



( 53 ) 

fully to acknowledge the continued merciful 
aid of the bleffed Head of the church, fo as 
to anfwer the purpofe of the vifit in calling 
bread on the waters, with the fweet returns 
of confolation to my own mind. 

The meeting at on fifth day was 

fo remarkable, that as I make no minutes 
of my journey except as to distances, I am 
inclined to mention it here, as it may be 
preferved when I am gone to where the 
wicked ceafe from troubling, and where 
the weary foul will rind reft. I began thus ; 
" The hiflory of our fociety furnifhes us 
with an account of two friends, who after 
the dawning, or rather clear breaking forth 
of gofpel light in the laft century, after a long 
night of apoftacy, and thick darknefs, were 
prepared and fent forth from this part of the 
nation, towards thofe pans where my accuf- 
tomed habitation now is^ this fubject, with 
the beginning of a teftimony which one of 
them had to deliver, has particularly impref- 
fed my mind in this meeting, and if my recol- 
lection is right, was to the following pur- 
port : I proclaim fpiritual war againft the in- 
habitants of the earth, who arc in the fall 
c 3 and 



( 54 ) 

fcparation from God : and (as if he would 
have enforced the found of his voice from one 
end of the earth to another) added, and I 
prophefy to the four winds of heaven. 

This beginning opened the way to profi- 
table labour, in which doctrine diftilled as the 
dew, folemnity covered the meeting, and 
filled my mind with thankfulnefs, and a con- 
folation I cannot exprefs. 

The paffage alluded to may be found in 
the account or journal of J. Camm and 
J. Audland, or in C. Marfhall's works. 



His next letter, dated 16th of 12th Mo. 
after giving fome account of his journey, and 
the lafl meeting he had attended, goes on 
thus : 

I took leave of Cumberland with a quiet 
peaceful mind, and of a valuable elder, who 
had accompanied me to the laft meeting, 
with near affection. 



( 55 ) 

In a letter from Kendal, ,12th Mo. 24th, 
he gives an account of his being laid up 
with a cold, taken through riding in violent 
wind and rain; but by the kind care of the 
friends where he lodged, foon recruited, and 
fet forward for Lancafter; in a letter from 
which place, dated 12th Mo. 27^ he writes 
as follows : 

I am now in the way towards home, and 
this is caufe of rejoicing to me, as I doubt 
not but it will be to thee and others of the 
family ; for fo oppofite to my natural inclinati- 
on is this mode of travelling, that were it not 
that the love of Chrift conftraineth and that 
amidft its inconveniences, it is attended with 
a peace which the world knows not of, the 
entering on a journey of this fort feels as the 
bitternefs of death ; but fo refigned at pre- 
fent is my will, that I fubmit with cheerful- 
nefs to the lengthening out of this and even 
taking my life as in my hand, and going on 
another if it again become necelTary. 

From Lancafter he pafTed on to Manchefler, 
Coalbrook Dale, and Worcefter, having ac- 
ceptable fervice, and fo returned home in 
fafety. 

G 4 



( 56 ) 

Towards the latter end of the year 179S, 
he found his mind engaged to vifit again 
many of the counties through which he had 
pafledj in his former journey, with this dif- 
ference, that in fome parts he parTed on with- 
out having many meetings 5- and feeling him- 
feif comfortably difcharged from this fervice, 
returned home. The following (hort extracts 
from fome of the letters, written to his wife 
while engaged therein, may not be Unaccept- 
able. 



9th Mo. 17th, 17&8. 

I have not found any occafion to lay by 
on account of my health j and through deep 
wading exercife of mind to be dipped into 
a clear fenfe of the (late of things, way hath 
opened to my great relief, and my foul 
magnifies the fuccouring arm, (till at times 
made bajre for the help of thofe who truft in 
it. 



( S7 > 

10th Mo. 18th. 

Having" met with feveral of my old ac- 
quaintance, to whom I was in the lad journey 
nearly united, we have rejoiced in feeing 
each other j and parted in the renewed feeling 
of that love which is the bond of Chriftiari 
union and fellowship. 

Without entering into many particulars, 
which cannot convey much information to 
thee, with humble thankfulnefs I may ac- 
knowledge the ever bleffed Father's care, 
fnftaining in every trial, fupporting in every 
conflict, and furnifhing flrength fufficient for 
the day; may my life be devoted to his 
fervice, and every thing within me; all the 
faculties of the mind unite in bleffing the 
ever worthy name. 



I2'tfi. Mo. 6th.- 

Bleffed for ever and' ever be the God of my 

life, for the merciful fupport vouchfafed in 

this journey, preferring in the heights and in 

c 5 the 



C S3 ) 

depths, enabling in reverent humble gra- 
titude to fet up another Ebenezer or (lone 
of memorial, with an infcription that he who 
runs may read, " Hitherto the Lord hath 
helped/ 1 



The only remaining vifit in which he ap- 
pears to have been engaged at a diftance 
from home, was in the fpring of the year 
1800, when he vifited the meetings' in the 
county of Suffer, with fome others in his way 
out and home; a letter from him to his 
wife, while engaged therein, gives the fol- 
lowing account. 



Lewes, 4th Mo. 22d. 1800. 
There are only fix meetings in this county, 
five of which are now paifed much to the 
relief of my mind, and I contemplate a 
fpeedier return to thee than I expected, with 
heart felt gratitude; for although when under J 
a clear apprehenfion of being called forth | 
and engaged in the fervice, and under thel 
influence of divine conftraint enabled to found 

the 



C 59 ) 

the alarm, and endeavour to roufe the lethar- 
gic from their beds of eafe, I have fometimes 
thought it would be pleafant to end my days 
therein; yet when the duty is difcharged, 
whether at a greater or lefs diftanee, or at 
home, to feel the dedication accepted, and 
ChriftVs legacy of peace fealed as it, were on 
our fpirits, what caufe of heart felt thankful- 
nefs: and although deep exercife hath often- 
attended my mind, yet I reverently rejoice 
in the merciful fuftaining fhare thereof vouch- 
fafed to me. 



Having thus attended our friend through 
mod of his religious labours, we fhall now 
fubjoin extracts from fome of his letters, &c. 
on religious fubjects: the following appears 
to have been written to a friend and his wife^ 
in the north, after his vifit to thofe parts, m 
the year 1781. 



c 6 



( 6o ) 

Taunton, 7th Mo. 16th, 1781. 

Dear Friends, 

Soon after my return, I thought of writing 
to you, having often had to remember you 
with gratitude and near affection, and as 
your hearts were open to receive us as dif- 
ciples, and plentifully to minifter to our 
wants, as fuch in looking towards you I 
have frequently wifhed that both the pro- 
phets and difciples reward may be yours ; 
and as my life was, when in your parts, a 
life of mourning, and the bitternefs of the 
meffage was often as the bitternefs of death : 
in this flate of deep humiliation and abafe- 
ment, your kindnefs and near fympathy 
were as the healing balm, or a reviving cor- 
dial. Thus it is poor travellers are led along : 
fometimes the hand or power of the Lord is 
upon them, and very evidently to their own 
underflanding, and that of others, accom- 
panies them in their fervice : in times of 
w r eaknefs their judgment becomes more cloud- 
ed, their faith faileth them, and they go as 
for their life, from the power of Jezebel; 

they 



( 61 ) 

they feek to hide themfelves by a- day's 
journey in the wildernefs; the juniper tree 
affords a fhadow, but yet in this (late of 
emptinefs unto death, and fpiritual defection, 
as wilful tranfgreflion is kept clear from, 
weaknefs is not imputed as a crime, and he 
whofe unfpeakable mercy is over all his 
works, confiders them as proper objects of 
divine regard: thus it fared with the prophet 
Elijah, after an extraordinary fervice, before 
his appearing upon the mount of God at 
Horeb, where his faith was renewedly con- 
firmed, and his underflanding more clearly 
opened as. to the true flate of things; and 
thus it fares with many now, for as the Lord's 
melTages by his fervants fpring from the fame 
ground, and are intended to promote the 
fame caufe now as formerly, the fame prepa- 
ration is neceffary to bring the poor creature 
into a proper degree of fitnefs to go on his 
errands, to plead with, to invite, to expof- 
tulate, and finally to proclaim his controverfy 
with a ftiif-necked and rebellious generation ; 
and although for their obflinacy, for the 
clearing of themfelves and him who fent 
them forth, fome may be permitted to (hake 

off 



C 6z > 

off the duff of fheir feet againfl them, and turn 
to the Gentiles, yet the day of their vifitation 
not being finally palTed over their heads, 
others may be raifed up amongfl them, and 
as a fign, may be directed to take their bread 
weeping, and mingle their drink with their 
tears: and there is no doubt with me in the 
prefent (late of things, that whoever is pre- 
ferved in the true line of fervice, will have 
very narrow tracks and deep wadings to pafs 
through ; but in and under all this, my 
beloved friends, is caufe of rejoicing, that 
they who fuffer with Chrift, are to be ad- 
mitted to reign with him, and what a painful 
ministry did he pafs through! how long was 
his preparation j how fimple his entrance 
upon fervice, and in the profecution of it ; 
how contrary was he led to the fpirit of the 
times in which he made his appearance. A 
few fimple fifhermen; fome who by reafon 
of their maladies were the objects of public 
fcorn ; a few poor women feemed to be the 
chief of his profelytes; for though many 
thoufands from curioflty at times followed 
him, though in mercy he fed them by an 
amazing miracle, yet the far greater part 

were 



C H ) 

were clofed up in unbelief, and perhaps fame 
of thofe who had tailed of his miraculous 
bounty, joined in the cry, " Crucify him; 
Crucify him." 



It is now about 24 years ago that being 
a ftranger ye took me in and admitted me 
to a place in your friendfhip, and although 
the acquaintance formed in confequence 
thereof was near, yet being foon after fta- 
tioned in my allotment at a diftance from 
you, I had but feldom an opportunity of 
manifefling how much. I felt myfelf obliged, 
or of difcovering my grateful attachment to 
you, in confequence of favours repeatedly 
conferred: thus circumftanced-, I have be- 
held five of the much loved family one after 
another, paying the debt of nature, fome 
of whom I may truly acknowledge, in 
Solomon's language, ftuek clofe to me than 
a brother; but the lait forrov/ful event, the 
removal of thy dear brother, was particularly 

affe&ing, 



C H ) 

affecting, arid the cireumftances attending it, 
loudly proclaim the uncertainty of all human 
enjoyments - y retired from bufinefs, and bleff- 
ed with a heart to communicate and do good,, 
innocently difpofed to mare in the pleafures 
of fociety , and relifli the fatisfa&ion of vifit- 
ing his acquaintance and near kinsfolks, ac- 
cording to the flefh : behold him on this 
journey, amidft all the fatisfaclions attending 
it, fummoned to a more delicious banquet, 
and to drink to the full of thofe rivers of 
pleafure that are at God's right hand for 
evermore: under this confederation, though 
his friends lofs be to his gain, yet as in times 
of weaknefs it is difficult to dwell in the 
true fpirit of refignation, without which we 
may mourn our lofs too much. And view- 
ing thee now in thy retired fituation, depriv- 
ed of his agreeable fociety, my mind has 
affectionately remembered thee in very near 
fympathy, with fervent defires that this trial 
may be truly fanc~tified, and thy mind pre- 
ferred thorougoly awakened to feek after 
comfort and fupport from that hand which 
alone can minifter the fame to any purpofe; 
this, my beloved friend, was the joy of thy 

younger 



( 6 5 ) 

younger years, and this I doubt not at all, rs 
now the alone fource from which thou art 
expecting to derive confolation; and were 
the fpirit of grace and fupplication poured 
forth upon me, and were it in my power to 
direct the language thereof upon this occa- 
fion, it would run in the channel of mod 
earned affectionate willies, that the bitter 
potion might be fweetened with a double 
portion of the coniblations of the Holy Ghoft, 
wimciTed as a precious pledge of your again 
meeting where there is no more forrow, no 
more death, or feparation, but where the 
Lamb, who is in the midd of the throne, is 
known to feed his redeemed flock, and to 
lead them to the fountains of living waters. 
Accept, my dear friend, in the reviving 
of the fpirit of true friendfhip, this little 
tribute thereof; and although we are fo cir- 
cumdariced as not to be likely to be much 
in one anothers company, yet let me have a 
fhare in thy remembrance ; being, refpecting 
the nature of the fervice I am engaged in, a 
man of forrows and acquainted with grief; 
feeling the increafing weight and burden of 
the word, frequently to call from the teu~ 

derdl 



( 66 ) 

dereft connexions in human life, and to leave 
every concern in it 5 dipped under a painful 
fenfe of the working of the myftery of iniqui- 
ty; and led to bear the iniquity of the houfe 
of Judah and Ifrael like the prophet formerly, 
lying on his fide; under this concern, an 
exercifmg journey through part of divers 
counties, lately fell to my lot, but pointed 
more particularly to Lincolnshire and York- 
fhire; from which, through the merciful fuc- 
cour of him, who called forth, we were fa- 
voured to return with great peace of mind. 

Under a renewed feeling of the Father's 
love, a frefh uniting and reviving former very 
tender feelings, do I falute thee, and con- 
clude, 

Thy very affectionate friend, 

T. M. 



To 



Taunton, I lth Mo. 18th, 1783. 
Esteemed Friend, 

If refpecling our own growth a deep at- 
tention to have the foundation well laid, and 

to 



( <7 ) 

to build thereon according to the direction 
of the great mailer builder, is neceflary; if to 
ftand clofe in our ranks, and watch with 
diligence the direction and orders of the 
captain, is to deferve the appellation of good 
foldiers, let us of the foremofl rank be ex- 
emplarily confpicuous herein, and endeavour 
to awaken in the hindermoft claries an inward 
fubjeclion to the principle of regeneration, 
which in its progrefs in the mind, gradually 
feparates from the love, the fpirit, nature, 
and friendfhip of this world: for although a 
conformity to the truth has generally efta- 
blifhed a reputation among men, yet it has 
been by a conduct which has been the means 
of opening that eye in them which can fee 
the beauty of holinefs, though themfelves 
are not in the nature of it. In this rambling 
of my pen, a mournful profpect prefents, as 
to the fucceeding generation : here, were my 
head waters, and mine eyes a fountain of 
tears, I might weep night and day; but what 
will this avail, or can the torrent of corruption 
be ftemmed thereby? but fo much has the 
gloomy profpect overwhelmed my mind, that 
I am aimoft finking under the load, and if I 

have 



C 68 > 

have at any time been furnifhed with weapons 
to wield in the warfare of the Lamb, they 
are now ready to fall out of my hands. 

To perfevere in thofe times with becoming 
(lability, to magnify the gift, the grace, in 
careful improvement to the honour of the 
bleffed giver, I affectionately w 7 ifh may be 
thy happy experience; and the over£ght of 
the flock, brought under thy notice, be at- 
tended to in the fpirit of a true feeder; and 
difcipline in the power of it, endeavoured to 
be maintained in a zeal, cultivated by that 
wifdom, which difcovers how to lay judge- 
ment to the line, and righteoufnefs to the 
plumline •, and as far as my capacity reaches, 
I defire fincerely to unite with thee herein on 
this ground, and fhould rejoice whilft the edge 
of it is turned to prune and lop off a variety 
of fuperfluous branches, if it is alfo directed 
powerfully to ftrike at the root, from whence 
thefe evils fpring, w-ithout partiality* 

To conclude; let unity, a onenefs of heart 
and mind in the life, prevail in minifters and 
elders, to the banifhing all fhynefs and dis- 
tance, and as brethren of the fame family,, 
children of one father, let us unite in lifting 

UP 



( 69 ) 

up the Lord's ftandard, and bear the ark in 
the bottom of Jordan ; and with fpirits 
clothed with humility and fervent zeal, fup- 
plicate the Moil High to fpare his heritage a 
little longer, and take away the reproach 
from his people. 

I am, with near affection, 
Thy friend, 

Thomas Melhuish^ 



To Friends in tfee County of • 

Dear Friends, 

I cannot eafily forget the deep exercife 
which attended my mind in my late travel 
through that part of your county I was 
again led to vifit , and the remembrance of 
the near unity I felt with many livingly con- 
cerned friends in their trying allotments, 
hath been very precious, as well as that the 
rawnefs, leannefs, and barrennefs of many 
in profeffion with us fo painfully affected me 

that 



f 70 ) 

that my ftrength feemed taken from mc, and 
rottenncfs, as it were, entered into my bones. 
Now to thofe who were partakers with me in 
my bonds, does the falutation of that love 
reach, which being the product of a divine 
principle in the mind, leavens every thing 
into its own nature ; and oh, may fuch in 
whom this birth has taken place, be careful 
not to indulge or nurfe, either in themfelves, 
or thofe under their care, any thing oppofite 
thereto ; for this wounds the pure life, and 
hinders its growth ; and this care and con- 
cern as it is abode under, will manifeft itfelf, 
and its exercife will break forth on all occa- 
fions; how will the minifters, rightly anointed 
and renewedly qualified for that purpofe, 
blow the trumpet in Zion ! how will the 
elders aiTemble and endeavour to gather the 
children ; and when thus affembled and 
gathered, humbled under a fenfe of their 
own weaknefs, and the need they have of 
that care which can alone preferve, looking 
towards thofe who (land at a diflance, and 
are yet ungathered! how earned at times 
will their intreaties be to the throne of 
grace, in a language fimilar to this, " Spare 



I 7 1 ) 

thy people, O Lord, and give not thine 
heritage to reproach." 

An anxious defire has attended my mind 
that the youth may be brought more clofely 
under the notice of their parents or thofe 
more advanced in years, and that more earn- 
eft endeavours may be ufed to bring their 
tender minds into an acquaintance with and 
fubje&ion to the principle of truth ; if this be 
eife&ed and their attention thereto quickened 
by the confiftent example of, thofe who ought 
to be watching over them for good,, one 
great point will be gained in the profpecl: of 
future (lability, and their understandings be 
likely to improve in things ufeful in religious 
and civil fociety; and as we differ from 
others in principle and practice, the ground 
of .this diffent (of which none need be 
afhamed) will be clearly underftood, and 
thofe who are now behind hand in every 
refpeft be able to give a reafon of the hope 
that is in them with meeknefs and fear, and 
the fatal tendency of mixed marriages be 
clearly feen, and carefully avoided. 

The grace we recommend the attention of 
the people to, is a lively inftru&ive principle, 

and 



C 72 ) 

and being a free gift, in mercy communicated 
as it is believed in and occupied with, won- 
derfully opens the underftanding ; by this 
many of the worthy ancients in your county 
became wifer than their teachers, and were 
made eminent inilruments in their day for 
promoting the knowledge of the truth and its 
fpreading amongft mankind, by which many 
were turned frcm darknefs. to light, and 
from the power of Satan to that of God: 
and I feel an increafing concern on your ac- 
count, that the line of fucceiTion may be 
preferved, and by the power of living faith 
many may beroufed to inquire, " Where is 
the Lord God of Elijah?" 

You will accept thefe few hints as pro- 
ceeding from a real concern for all your 
growth and increafe with the increafes of 
God, from 

JTour affectionate friend, 

Thomas Millhuish. 

Taunton, 3d. Mo. 11th, 1759. 



( 73 ) 

The following eight were addrejjed to the 
Jame Friend. 



12th Mo. 25th, 1799. 

Although the weight of my own exercife, 
feems enough to fupport under, yet thou 
wilt perceive by this thou haft been the com- 
panion of my thoughts, and it has been with 
iincere defires that thy way may gradually 
open to difcharge the little truft repofed in 
thee with fidelity ; and do not feek to get from 
under the Mailer's hand or eye, and be cau- 
tious to whom thou opened thy exercifes, or 
before whom thou fpreadeft the many diffi- 
culties with which thy progrefs feems embar- 
raffed, and be fure guard againft unreafonable 
difcouragement or defpcndency, becaufe if 
we have been favoured with the knowledge 
of the truth, the gracious defign of being fo 
favoured is to introduce into the liberty 
which it gradually eftabliflieth in, a willing- 
nefs to ferve the Lord in the way of his 
requirings. May this be thy comfortable 
d experience, 



( 74 ) 

experience, and the grace or favour magnified 
through thy co-operation therewith. 



12th Mo. 28th, 1799. 

If I notice thee with affe&ionate regard 
and fympatby, it is my duty to do fo ; were 
it in my power, I would lead thee into the 
green paftures, and caufe thee to reft befide 
the ftill waters; but the bieffed Shepherd of 
Ifrael will do this for thee in his own time, 
when he has led thee about^and inftru&ed 
thee, and taught thee wifdom and patience, 
by the things thou haft fuffered : it may be 
a feafon of darknefs, and thou mayft be ready 
to inquire with earneftnefs, " Watchman, 
what of the night?" Why, behold, the morn- 
ing cometh, and may it be to thee a morning 
without clouds: difpelling, for a feafon, thy 
doubts and anxious fears ; for I long to hear 
thee adopt this language, " He brought me 
into his banquetting houfe, and his banner 
over me was love." 



( 75 ) 

1st. Mo. 16th, 1800. 

Thy little communication was very ac- 
ceptable, pointing out a little return of love, 
of light and life, from him who is the ador- 
able and inexhauftible fountain of it. I knew 
he had not cad thee off, and that when 
judgment had humbled and produced a 
thorough willingnefs, to be any thing rather 
than forfeit his favour, he would yet remem- 
ber mercy, ftrengthen the weak hands, and 
confirm the feeble knees ; but. the true fol- 
diers are to be inured to difcipline, and 
gradually learn to endure hardnefs; in a flate 
of infancy thou waft dandled upon the knee, 
and the breaft of confolation was held forth, 
and thou drank as it were thy fill ; but this 
feafon is paft ; thou art now to work for thy 
bread ; and the more willingly thou takeft to 
labour, the eafier thou wilt find it; and be 
fure mind it be under the Matters direction, 
for I expect thou wilt not be allowed the 
privilege of chufing for thyfelf. I have 
known fome, as feemingly weak as thee, who 
have fo improved, that in time they have 
been put to threfh the mountains* 



D 2 



C 76 ) 

2d Mo. 28th, 1800. 

And now, my dear friend, a dcfire attends 
rny mind on thy behalf, that wherever thou 
art, or in whatever flation thou mayft for the 
prefent fix, a fleady care may reft that the 
day's work goes on with the day, and as 
thy former omiffions are blotted out, and the 
judgment feat fo covered with mercy that no 
charge of difobedience is retained againfl 
thee, and much having been forgiven, that 
fuch a degree of love may be excited, and 
gratitude fo awakened, as that a thorough 
resignation may take place, to follow where- 
ever the ever-blefTed Shepherd may lead; in 
this ftate of mind, he will not be unmindful 
of thee, if in the line of thy duty thou pafs, 
as through the fire, the names thereof (hall not 
kindle to thy hurt; or if through the waters, 
the floods fhall not overwhelm. Be fervent 
in fpirit, diligent in bufnefs, and of good 
cheer. 



( 77 ) 

10th Mo, 29th, 180O« 

Such an opportunity offering, I am in- 
clined to addrefs a few lines to thee, left 
thou fhouldefl in a feafon of poverty and 
weaknefs, indulge a thought/that my friend- 
fliip and affectionate refpect are in any degree 
leffened; this is by no means the cafe; if 
thou art poor, I am fo likewife, and defire 
to be thy companion in tribulation, and in 
the kingdom and patience of Jefus Chrifh 
Now it is worthy of remark, and affords 
encouragement, that when that eminent fer* 
vant of the Lord, John the baptifl, being in 
prifon, and in a (late of doubting, although 
he had feen Chriff, and borne ample tefti- 
mony to the permanency of that difpenfation 
which was ufhered in by him, fentto inquire,- 
" Art thou he thatihould come, or look we 
for another ? " Our bleffed Lord, to remove 
his doubts, directed the meffengers to go 
and tell John the things which they faw and 
heard, referring to the miracles daily wrought 
by him, and clofmg the lift with this mark 
of favour, that " to the poor the gofpel is 
preached. Now this preaching of the gofpel, 
d 3 as 



C 78 ) . 

as it is received and believed in, being the 
manifeftation of its power unto falvation, 
what an encouragement to the poor, on 
whom this privilege feems in an efpecial 
manner conferred: now to us, my dear friend, 
this gofpel hath been preached ; let us, 
therefore, rejoice in our poverty, and in 
humble confidence, apply to him who is the 
friend of publicans and finners, who takes 
thofe into his protection that are poor and 
contrite, and tremble at his word. 



6th Mo. 23d. 1801. 

When we may meet again, is uncertain, 
and however deep my future plunges may 
be, yet if it be in Jordan's purifying dreams, 
it will, as to myfelf, end well; but I fome- 
times think that long before this no fpot or 
blemifh ought to have remained with me ; 
if any of Lebanon's heights remain, I feel 
willing at times that all the doors maybe 
opened, and every obftru&ion removed to 
the fires entering and devouring all the ce- 
dars y 



( 79 ) 

dars ; amidft all this weaknefs and infirmity 
attending me, my defires for thee are, that 
IfraePs God may blefs thee indeed, and 
enlarge thy coaft. Should we be favoured 
to get into and continue in that difpofition of 
mind, to which the bleffing will aifuredly 
extend, may we not indulge a humble hope, 
that the fame mercy and companion, which 
relieved the impotent man, who had long 
waited at Bethefda's pool, will in due time 
reach us, with " Arife, take up thy bed, 
and walk." 



9th Mo. 25th. 1802. 

I was pleafed to find thou hadft been fa- 
voured with courage and ftrength to get out 
a little amongft thy friends, and I affection- 
ately defire for thee fuch an increafe of it as 
that the day's work may keep pace with the 
day; that thy dedication to the caufe of truth 
may be accompanied with refigned willing- 
nefs to fubmit to every conftrained endeavour 
to promote it, and by moving in the inno- 
d 4 cencc 



'( So ) 

cence and fimplicity of a child, gradually 
feel thy capacity for fervice a little enlarged, 
and thy obedience rewarded with an increafe 
in the joy of God's falvation, in thy own 
particular experience. Oh, my dear friend, 
let nothing move thee from the fure founda- 
tion; may the conilraining love of Chriil be 
the ground of all thy labours, and prove a 
fort of check to that forward fpirit which is 
lamentably fpreading in our borders. 



12th Mo. 18th, 1802. 

And now, my dear friend, as thou haft 
been prevailed on to put thy hand to the 
plow, take care thou do not look back;; in 
all thy movements, may the pillar of cloud 
by day, and pillar of fire by night, be thy 
direction, and fure defence ; and as fupplies 
of ftrength will often, in mercy and unfailing 
kindnefs, unexpectedly open, fo let it increafe 
a greater degree of dedication and devoted- 
ncfs of mind to purfue every gentle yet clear 
opening in the line of duty. 



( 8t ) 



The following four are to another Friend* 

Such is the nature of the Chriftian warfare, 
if I underftand it right, that every progreflive 
advancement therein, is accompanied with 
its peculiar difficulty or trial, wifely intended 
to keep the creature humble, and to excite 
fuch a conflant watchfulnefs, that it may 
never be off its guard: now it is not eafy for 
me to defcribe the fatisfaclion I felt when 

laft at — , at the evidence conveyed 

to my mind, that a living child was brought 
forth, or the fervent defires which attended, 
that the pure birth might not be hurt by 
unlkilful nurfirig. I very often cad a mourn- 
ful eye over the (late of things in this county 
in this- refpeel:, on feeing fome who were 
likely at one time to ripen into ufefulnefs, fo 
imprudently pufhed forward, as to have far 
overgrown their ftrength, and from their 
fize appearing as men, yet as to capacity and 
judgment, are on trial found to be fcarcely 
children; but, my very dear child, I am con- 
fident thou hail otherwife learned Chrift, 
and k no weft that his conflraining love is the 
d 5 only 



( "82 ) 

only ground of all true miniftry, and have a 
comfortable hope, that thou wilt fettle on 
this foundation: and however fmall the offer- 
ing may be, yet when brought forth under 
the power of divine constraint, how edifying, 
how comfortable to the living in Ifrael; and 
oh! may the pure life in thee falute, and 
thereby ftrengthen the fame immortal birth 
in others ; but in order to thy growth in this 
root of living miniftry, learn to bear in pa- 
tience, the turnings of the Lord's hand, and 
the winnowing of the fan ; cleave to him 
with all thy heart, and although he will 
humble and reduce, and bring felf into fub- 
jeclion, and may permit Satan to buffet, and 
fift, and as it were to hedge up the way, 
yet he will mercifully open the way, where 
no way appears, and a well of refreshment, 
as in the midfl of the defert. 



I was pleafed to receive a few lines from 
thee y further than this I know not what to 
fay, unlefs to exprefs the travail of my fpirit 
for thy prefervation, and that thou mayft be 

fo 



( 3 3 ) 

fo fupported and ftrengthened in every trial, 

and againft every temptation, as to add 

dignity to the caufe, on the behalf of which 

thou had been called to lift the ftandard ; if 

thou art pairing through the furnace, heated 

in thy apprehenfion feven times more than 

ufual, bear it, my dear child, with patience; 

the defign of Infinite Wifdom therein is to 

purge away all the drofs, take away all the 

tin, -and remove all the reprobate filver, that 

nothing may remain but what may be fit to 

bear the royal impreilion. At about thy age 

I met with flatterers, and was fometimes be- 

fet with falfe friends, who, in feeming kind- 

nefs, tried to pufli me forward into what 

they called fervice, out of the right line ; if 

any fuch come in thy way, beware of them, 

and let me conclude with the remark of one 

formerly, " Trufl. in the Lord with all thy 

heart, and lean not to thy own underflanding ; 

acknowledge him fincerely in all thy ways, 

and moil affuredly he will direct thy paths/' 



( 84 ) 

11th Mo. 1ft. 1801. 

I expect, my dear child, thy prefent fitua- 
tion is as trying as thou canft well bear from 
fatigue of body, as well as exercife of mind ; 
but allow me to fay, the Shepherd of Ifrael 
has taken thee under his care, and he will 
deal as gently with thee as will be proper 
for thy real good, and the attaining that 
experience which will be every way profit- 
able. When thy flrength feems utterly to 
fail, and all the pow r ers of nature give way, 
he will carry thee as in his arms ; and if 
thou prove (ledfaft in thy love, refcue from 
the lion and the bear. If the kingdom is to 
be entered through many tribulations, and 
the right to fonfhip afcertained through chaf- 
tening, who would wilh to loofe the earned 
of this precious inheritance, or being called, 
fo Hide from under the yoke, as not to be 
admitted amongil the few chofen? How co- 
pious is this very interefting fubject, my heart 
is full of it, with ardent wifhes for thy 
fafety, and that though the battle prefs hard, 
and there be fears from without, and doubts 
within, yet clothed with humility, as a gar- 
ment 



( 8 5 ) 

mcnt in the reverent dependancc and pa- 
tient refignation it leads into, thou mayeft 
witnefs a being made more than a conqueror, 
through him that hath loved thee. 



5th Mo. 2d. 1802. 

As to myfelf, I think fometimes from in- 
firmity of body, and exercife of mind, I am 
juft worn out, and could quietly refign to 
the grave, but from an apprehenfion that 
fome part of the day's work remains undone, 
although fufficient clearnefs to warrant an 
attempt for fetting about it has not hitherto 
been afforded; but, my dear child, there is 
perhaps fometimes a little matter for thee 
and me to do at home, and I am ftrongly 
inclined to prefs on thy mind a fubmiffive 
attention to every clear command to labour; 
for if in thy progrefs unfaithful nefs is fuf- 
fered to prevail, an effectual bar is laid in 
the way to a going forward, and any attempt 
to ilep out of the right line frequently en- 
tangles amongfl: briars and thorns, which 

tear 



( 86 ) 

tear and wound feverely, and many have 
long borne the fmart thereof, till divine mer- 
cy has interpofed on their behalf. 

The prefent ftate of the miniftry amongfl 
us, and in forward fpirits, the prevalence of 
a difpofition to recommend themfelves to 
notice by meddling with unfelt truths, re- 
quires a ftrong guard on all the rightly 
anointed for this fervice, that their conduft, 
as well as weight of expreffion, may as far 
as in them lies, be a check to that fpirit, the 
tendency of whofe movements is to exalt 
felf, and to lead to a complacency and a kind 
of rejoicing out of the crofs of Chriflj but, 

dear , let wifdom, divine wifdom, (that 

which is faid to dwell in holy fouls, and 
to make them friends of God and prophets) 
be thy guide, and then divine flrength will 
affift thy trembling fteps, and furniih the 
neceflary aid for every occafion, 



( 8 7 ) 

Taunton, 4th Mo. 11th, 1802. 

Dear Friends, 

Such has been the opprefTed finking (late 
of my health for the lad month, that I have 
been induced to look more towards the 
grave than to entertain profpe&s which re- 
quire more ability of body, and perfevering 
firmnefs of mind than I am now favoured 
with; not that I am painfully difcouraged, 
for though infirmity of body, accompanied 
.with a diflreffing gloom over the mind be 
very trying, yet fo fuited are thofe feelings 
to a flate of probation, that it is unwife not 
to expect them; or having entered on the 
Chriflian race, to fuppofe we fhall find the 
path conftantly ftrewed with rofes, and hav- 
ing engaged in the Lamb's warfare, to think 
we fhall not feel the difficulties attendant on 
a fituation expofed to Satan's fiery darts; 
fince it is by watchfulnefs, by faith, by pa- 
tience, accompanied with divine aid, that 
victory is obtained. Whatever the ifTue of 
this concern may be refpecting myfelf, whe- 
ther being called to mourning, it may end 

only 



( 88 ) 

only in folemn filent interceffion on behalf of 
thofe on whofe account it originated, or may 
yet fo fpread and ripen, as to make it necelTary 
to give up all to follow in the path of duty ; 
whatever way it may turn, I defire to leave it. 
Thus, my dear friend, I open my heart 
without referve, on a fubjecl: which has 
proved a clofe trial, and my mind being 
favoured with refignation, have no other 
defire but to go or {lay, as bed Wifdom may 
direft. 



Although it appears our dear friend was 
making fome arrangements in his family con- 
cerns, with a view to have proceeded on 
this vifit in the fpring of the year ^803, 
had' life and health permitted, yet before 
that period arrived, it pleafed Providence to 
remove him from works to rewards, after a 
fliort illnefs. About a week before his de- 
ceafe, he attended a monthly meeting, held 
at Taunton, in ufual health, in which he ap- 
peared in teflimony in a lively weighty man- 
ner i and the following day was taken ill of 

a diforder 



C 8 9 ) 

a diforder, of a very painful nature, which 
foon confined him to his bed, but which he 
bore with patience and compofure of mind, 
expreffing but little to thofe about him, 
except repeating that faying of our Lord's, 
" In my fathers houfe are many manfions, " 
and that he trufted there was a manfion pre- 
pared for him,, and that he was going to join 
many of his dear friends who were gone 
before him. 



He departed this life the 16th of 12th 
month, 1802, and his remains were interred 
the 20th of the fame, in Friend's burial 
ground, near Taunton, aged about 6$, 
and a minifler upwards of 40 years. 



FINIS, 



London : Printed uy Phillips Sf Farbon^ 
George Yard, Lombard Street. 



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